Asma Jehangir, the counsel for Husain Haqqani, expressed her profound sense of disappointment over the Supreme Court (SC) short order. "The decision of SC made me realise that civilian authority has come under the military institutions," she said and added that the judgement was not in accordance with the rule of law.
Talking to media persons in the SC building, she said that it was a dark day in the history of the judiciary. She also said that she was forced to think that whether it was the judiciary of people or the judiciary of Establishment. She also warned that in December 30, 2011 SC verdict would haunt petitioners and that they would remember her statement.
"I was expecting at least one dissenting voice against the judgement, but I did not see any ray of hope in the court today," she added. Expressing her disappointment over the struggle made for the restoration of judiciary, she said the court's decision had compromised a person's right to justice.
"It is sad that the superior judiciary has done it and if my comments come under the purview of contempt of the court, then I am ready to go behind the bars for the implementation of the rule of law," she added. The counsel said she accepted the court's decision, although even she did not agree with it.
She contended that the court had given the petitioners more relief than they had actually asked for and the court had given the national security more priority than fundamental rights. She said she would wait for a detailed verdict. Only then will she decide about a review petition in the case.